[MC_]ALLOCATE May Return Sense 00000805 Instead of 08050000

• Microsoft SNA Server, versions 3.0, 3.0SP1, 3.0SP2, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

If a Win32 APPC program calls [MC_]ALLOCATE and the request fails on an Intel-based server, in some instances the returned sense_data may not indicate a valid sense code. For example, if session limits are exceeded, APPC returns a sense code of 0x00000805, instead of 0x08050000.

CAUSE

The SNA Server APPC interface (Wappc32.dll) is not properly formatting the 4-byte sense_code returned parameter on Intel systems. Because APPC is implemented in a platform-independent fashion and Intel systems store double-word values in byte-inversed order in memory, the APPC DLL is not properly formatting the sense code before returning to the APPC application.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SNA Server 3.0 (all service packs) and SNA Server 4.0. A supported fix is now available for SNA Server 4.0, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information.

Keywords          : prodsna snaappc
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0SP1,3.0SP2,4.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix